Agitator for washing machines



May 8, 1956 T. R. SMITH 2,744,402

AGITATOR FOR WASHING MACHINES Filed April 14, 1952 l n 2 Sheets-Sheet lr n A).

May 8, 1956 T. R. SMWH 2,744,402

AGITATOR FOR WASHING MACHINES Filed April 14, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 f3 lF154 l l i. E4

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INVENTOR. @Wamel/J f@ mI I MM, y AGENT United States Patent() AGITA'I'ORFR WASHING MACHINES Thomas R; Smith, Newton, Iowa, assigner to TheMaytagCompany, Newton, Iowa, aicorporation of'Delaware Application' April 14,1952., Serial No.- 282,092

6 Claims. (Cl. 68133) The invention relates to liquid 'filters foroscillating agitator type-washingmach'ines' and 'more particularly toliquid filters mounted'in the washing machine agitator;

In washing clothes, it is well known that in the initial portion-of thewashing period the majorportionl of the dirt orsoil is removed from'theclothing and,'after a definiteA time interval, depending upon'theclothing and type'ofsoil, a portion 'of the dirtin the Washing liquid orsolution is actually redeposited in 'or'on the clothing. Also, thatheavydirt and lintmay be Vrecirculated along Witlithe washing liquid andresoil the washed clothing. This'latterproblem is primarily due to thefact thatthe heavy' dirt and lint do not'have `a definite location .in awashingmachine tubwhereat' it can settle out of the liquidr and remainin a relatively quiet areac- Although settling chambers' or pockets havebeen suggested to accomplish this, they have not'beentoo successfulbecause there is a tendency for the dirt to breaklooseand re-ent'er themain body of the washing liquid.

In accordance' with the invention, an oscillatable agitator having` theusual ilaring base with upwardly directed waterimpelling vanes ispositioned at the bottom of the tub -in "the usual manner and isoscillated about its verticalaxis by suitable oscillating mechanism. f Aplurality of openings-or passages are provided in the base which permittheA washing liquid to enter into a cavity provided by the lower flaringbase portion of the agitator and the bottom of thetub. Within the cavityand at the bottom ofthe agitator there is an annular generallyhorizontal covert having a central opening surrounding the agitatorshaftand extending outwardly to the outer periphery of` the agitator. Betweenthe base and cover is a series of radially projecting vertical vaneswhichdivide the cavity into a plurality of chambers or pockets disposedbelow the passages in the base of the agitator, and as -heavy dirt andlint passthrough these passages it is trapped inthe pockets and retainedso that it cannot re-enter the washing.. liquid in the main body of thetub and resoil the clothing. After the washing operation, the` operatormay withdraw the agitator and clean the same in any convenient manner.

In still another form, the-base of the agitator carries a filter in thecavity and as the washing'rliquid and heavy dirt Vpass` throughthepassages the lower vanes ony the agitator, acting as centrifugalvlpumpsections, force vor draw the washing liquid through the filter anddischarge thesame backl into the tub, at which time theiilterintercepts` and retains the heavy dirt'and lint.Y By using a propertypefilter, a portion of` dirt in the solution may be also'retained tothereby improve'v the washingv eiciency of :thefwashing liquid.

Inaccordance with the above,A it is an object of theinvention to provide`an agitator type 'washing machine' with a filter element which iscarried by the agitator.

It is another object of the invention to provide an agitator typewashing .machine with a dirt and lint trap which is carried by theagitator at the lower portion thereof.

2,744,402 vPatented May 8, y1956 ICC It is yet another object oftheinventiontoprov'idean oscillatable agitator type washing machine with'awashing liquid filter which is' carried atl the bottom ofth'e agitatoradjacent'theV bottom lof vtheetub and is effective in con-ytinuously'ltering a portion of the-'washing liquid to"re' moveforeignmatter."

It is 'another object of the inventionto' 'provide man. oscillatableagitator 'carryinga lilter'elementatthe bo't tom thereof with aplurality lof vanes whichv force'the' washingliquid through the filter."

It is still another 'object vofthe invention 'to provide an oscillatablevagitator with a plurality4 of'pocketsforcol lecting heavy dirtand'lin't.

lt is another'objec't ofA the invention to provide an oscillatableagitator with" a plurality' of varies on itsI underside' whosedischargerends-fare. covered by a removable element for filtering dirtfrom ythe Washing liquid.

It is yet another object' of the invention to. provide an oscillatableagitator with a plurality of radial vanes with passages therebetween forcirculating, washing-y liquid therethrough which has a lter element atthe entrance of the passages to remove foreign matter from the washingliquid. Y

Other objects, features, capabilities and advantages are comprehended bythe invention as will later appear-and as are inherently possessedthereby'` Referring to the drawings:

Figure l`is a ydiagrammatic partial vertical. sectional view of 4anoscillatable agitatory type washingA machine incorporating the featuresof theinvention;

Figure 2 isy an enlarged vertical sectional view of an oscillatablewashing machine agitator with` the improved filter and lint collectorappliedthereto;

Figure 3 isA a partial horizontal lsectionalfviewof the sedimentcollecting chamber and` lter `taken along the line 34-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional View of an oscillatable agitator with amodified lilterrarrangement; and,

Figure 5 isv a vertical sectional. view of an agitator showing a Vstillvfurther modification of a heavy dirt'. and lintn collector combinedwithfan agitator.

Referring now to the drawingsifor a detailed descrip"- tion oftheimproved filterk arrangement, there is shown in Figure -l a liquidcontaining tub construction lil-having a sidewall 11 and a bottom wall12. with Aan agitator 13 disposed adjacent Ithefbottom of theV tub andsubstantially centrally located with respect toithe: sidewalls 11'. Theagitator-is adapted/to be rapidly oscillated about its vertical axis bymeans of lan loscillatable shaft 14 extending upwardly from suitablegearireduction' and 'Y oscillating mechanism 16 mounted below thefbottom of the-tub which is driven byfany 'suitable drive mechanism,-such as, for example, an electric motorv (notfshown).

ln the washing of soiled clothinggithe clothing is placed; in 'the tubValong withwthe'lproper quantity of hot water and detergent' and the'gear reduction 'mechanism 16 'is operated to oscillate` the agitatorlvaboutvits. vertical axis. Such action quickly removes the majorportionf' ofthe soil` or dirt frontlthefclothingf'and itpassesinto `thewashing `solution'or liquid; andunder'fsomeifconditions the-washing`liquid actually contains' 1 more soil in fp'roporL tion than remaininginy thefclothings4 However, after a relatively short interval of time,the unbalance of soiling thewashing liquid-'isredeposited'inthe-clothinguntil a balance is1obtained, afterwhich'continue'd washingii'is ofnovalue. Therefore,by rem'ovingza` portion' of thesoil in the washingliquid,-whenthe-ba1ance is` obtainedvtle clothing will beproportionately cleaner, and' `it-is1to\-im prove the washing efficiency:ofvthe-fwashing liquid that this invention is-particularly directed..

,Referring nowmore particularly to Figures 2 'and-3,V the agitator 13'isprovided with an upstanding center post 17 which merges into asymmetrical downwardly and outwardly flaring base 18 terminating in aperipheral bead 19 spaced relatively close to the bottom wall 12 of thetub. The base covers a major portion of the bottom of the tub and isadapted to underlie the clothing. in this instance the agitator isprovided with upwardly and radially outwardly projecting water impellingvanes or blades 21 formed integral with the base 18 and a suitable hub22 for holding a splined sleeve 23 which fits over the upper splined end24 of the oscillatable shaft 14. The foregoing is more or less standardconstruction for the major portion of all agitators.

In the disclosed construction, a plurality of openings or passages 26are provided in the base 13 of the agitator between the center post 17and outer periphery 19 and preferably they are nested in an area closerto the center post. These passages provide the means to permit a portionof the washing liquid carrying dirt or soil therewith, either insolution or suspension, to pass from the main body of liquid A above thebase of the agitator to below the base and enter a chamber or cavity 27provided by the daring base 18 and bottom 12 of the tub.

Within the cavity 27 there is provided a combination oscillatabie heavydirt, lint trap and filter element or mechanism 28 which is adapted toretain the heavy dirt and lint carried in suspension by the washingliquid passing through the passages 26 into the cavity and to dischargethe filtered washing liquid back into the main body of the tub tocontinue the cleaning or washing operation. This oscillatable trapmechanism is carried by the agitator beneath its base 18 and includes aplurality of integral downwardly and radially projecting impellers orvanes 29 whose lower edges are spaced 'from and substantially parallelto the bottom wall 12 of the tub and an annular cover or wall 31 carriedat the lower edges which cooperates with the vanes to provide aplurality of radially projecting open ended pockets or channels 32.. Theinner edges 33 of the vanes and the inner opening 34 in the cover 31define the entrance to the channels 37. and they nre spaced from theaxis of the agitator to provide room for the oscillatable shaft 14 andample space for free circulation of the washing liquid.

As shown in the drawings, the openings 26 in the base of the agitatorfor the most part extend outwardly beyond the inlet to the channels 32.This reduces the tendency for the heavy dirt to pass through the opencentral portion about the agitator shaft 14 and settle on the bottomwall 12 of the tub, or to work outwardly between the cover 31 and bottomwall and re-enter the main body of washing liquid in the tub.

Adjacent the outer periphery of the base of the agitator and oppositethe outer open ends of the channels 32 the cover 31 is provided with anannular opening, and an annular strainer or filter element 36 is mountedacross this opening. In the modification shown, the inner periphery ofthe filter element 36 fits within a groove 37 in the cover 31 and itsouter periphery is disposed in a groove formed in an annular channel orsupport 38 which forms part of the cover. The support 38 is carried in arecess 39 provided in the peripheral bead 19 in the base of theagitator.

It is to be understood that the means for securing or carrying the lterelement 36 is shown only by way of example and that other satisfactoryarrangements may be used without departing from the spirit of theinvention.

With the assembly in position, as shown, a slight circumferentialclearance or restricted area 41 is provided between the periphery 19 ofthe agitator and bottom Wall 12 of the tub for a purpose to behereinafter described.

In operation, with the washing liquid, detergent and soiled or dirtyclothing in the tub and the agitator 13 being oscillated about itsvertical axis by means of the oscillating mechanism 16, the radial vanes21 on the upper portion of the base 18 of the agitator agitates theliquid and clothing to provide a cleaning operation to remove the soilor dirt from the clothing. This action transfers a major portion of thedirt and foreign matter to the washing liquid which is carried in theliquid either in suspension or solution. As the heavy dirt and lint movedownwardly, a relatively large portion is eventually drawn through thepassages 26 in the base 18 of the agitator by the action of the loweroscillating radial vanes 29 defining the channels 32 in the cavity 27beneath the agitator'. The washing liquid, heavy dirt and lint passingthrough the passages 26 enter the channels and are moved radiallyoutwardly toward the outer annular opening. Since the oscillating vanes29 tend to restrict eddy or cross currents within the cavity and act ascentrifugal impellers, the washing liquid is forced through the annularfilter 36 and radially outwardly back into the main body or' liquid inthe tub through the restricted circumferential passage 41 between thebottom 12 of the tub and outer periphery 19 of the base of the agitatorto continue in the washing operation. As the washing liquid passesthrough the filter element 36, the heavy dirt and lint are retained inthe pockets 32 by the filter element to prevent their recirculation andin this manner redeposition of the large particles of dirt and lint inthe clothing is eliminated.

At the same time, since the large particles of dirt are removed fromcirculation, the tendency for them to be reduced in size so that they gointo solution in the washing liquid is also practically eliminated.Also, by making the filter 36 of the proper material, a portion of thesoil carried in solution may be removed from the washing liquid to thusenable the liquid to remove a greater portion of the soil from theclothing. This generally constant radial discharge of liquid at theperiphery of the agitator also acts to prevent articles of clothing fromentering into the cavity through the circumferential passage.

From the above it can be seen that a portion of `the washing liquid iscontinuously being bypassed from the main body of the liquid and passedthrough the oscillating trap and filter element 36 which, of course,reduces the overall concentration of dirt in the washing liquid to thusimprove the washing efiiciency of the washing machine.

With a trap and filter arrangement of this type, means should beprovided -to permit cleaning of the filter element 36 and pockets 32.Therefore, in the embodiment shown, the outer edge of the cover 31carries a clip or rim 42 adapted to be snapped into a groove or notch 43adjacent the periphery of the base 18 of the agitator and the innercircular edge 34 of the cover 31 is detachably secured to two or more ofvthe inner edges 33 of the vanes 29 through suitable clips or the like44 which engage in notches or recesses 46.

At the end of the washing operation, the operator may clean the filterelement 36 and sediment collecting channels or pockets 32 by graspingthe agitator 13 and removing the same from the splined shaft 14 andwithdrawing it from the tub, at which time the filter and pockets may becleaned by forcing water through the filter in a reverse direction or itmay be removed from fthe base 1`8 of the agitator and cleanedseparately.

IReferring now to Figure 4, there is shown a modified trap and filterarrangement. In this instance the base 18 of the agitator `13 isprovided with lthe openings or passages 26 around the center post 17 topermit entrance of a portion of the washing liquid and dirt into thecavity 27 between the base 18 and bot-tom wall 12 of the tub and aplurality of spaced radial and downwardly projecting vanes 47 are formedintegral with the base about the axis of the agitator. An annular cover48 having a central opening 49 cooperates with the lower ends of thevanes 47 to define open-ended pockets or channels 51 whose outermostends terminate adjacent the outer peripheryc19 of thebasef Isin 'anannular" discharge yportil 'or opening-S2. Theinnermost ends 53- of thevanesf47fdeining-the inlet to the' channels Siware inclined upwardly andoutwardly from the central opening@ in' ,fthe cover 48v tto-support lan`annular or'frusto-conical iilterv'elementf54 which Apreferablyunderlies the passages 26 inthe'. base 18. This'fl-ter element comprisesa plurality vof vsect'orshap'ed removable sections 56 having a suitableframe'constr'uetlon 57 -for supporting filtering material S8, and'handleor-grip members 59 are secured'to the frame to provide means forremovingV the lter from and inserting it into position-through theopening 49 in the cover' 48.v

From'=the foregoing it can be seen that with'fthe filter mounted tounderlie the passages 26, `as the vagitator `is oscillatedf a portion ofthe washing liquidis continuously drawnthrough the passages 26 into thecavity below the base A18 by the pumping action of the vanes47, and ltheliquid is ydrawn through the filtering material 58 whereon theheav'fyffdirt and lintcarried in suspension:isdbposited After passingthrough .thefiilten the lilteredwashing liquid is discharged from thechannels 51 radially outwardly through the' annularopening S2 andcircumferential area 41" betweenthe periphery 19 of the base andbottnr'wall lzfof'the'tub tore-enter the main body of the washingliquid; yto continue in .thewashing operation.

'Iii this construction, 'the' filter performs the samefunction asdescribed .in the previously mentioned modification. Also, the filtermay be cleaned by following the same steps as described.

In Figure there is disclosed a modiiied heavy dirt and lint trap notdependen-t upon the recirculation of the washing liquid. In thisinstance, the openings 26 in the arng base 18 of the agitator aregrouped about the center post 17 in the usual manner and a plurali-ty ofradial downwardly directed vanes 61 are secured -to or formed integralwith 4the underside of the base 18 and terminate generally at ahorizontal annular cover 62. This cover has a central opening 63 to.permit free movement of the liquid about the agitator shaft 14 an-dextends outwardly and fits within a recess 64 adjacent the lower edge ofthe periphery 19 of the agitator.

If desired, the cover 62 may lbe detachably secured to the base by anysuitable means such as having the outer periphery closely it within therecess 64 and providing suitable `clips 66 adjacent the inner edge 67 of`the vanes to engage notches 68 therein. With the cover in place, thevanes 61 cooperate to provide a plurality of closed pockets v69 and alsoto limit lateral movement of the collec-ted dirt and liquid thereinduring the washing operation. In addition, the cover 62 preferablyunderlies the passages y26 in the base 18 to restrict the passage ofheavy dirt through the central opening 63 in the cover.

In operation, as the clothing `and liquid are agi-tated during lthewashing operation, the heavy dirt and lint tend to fall or pass throughthe passages 26 in the base 18 of the agitator and enter the cavitytherebelow into one of the pockets 69. As the agitator is oscillatedabout its vertical axis, the heavy dirt is moved -outwardly in-to lthepockets by the vanes and is forced into the outer corner whereat it isdeposited, and in View of the spaced radial vanes 61 limiting orrestricting unobstructed lateral movement of the liquid, relativelyquiet or quiescen-t areas are provided. Thus, this heavy dirt is removedfrom the active portion of the washing liquid and prevents theredeposition of the dirt in the clothing. This, of course, improves thewashing efficiency of the liquid.

At the end of the washing operation, the operator may remove theagitator 13 and clean the sediment or dirt from the pockets 69 by eitherushing water in-to them or by irst removing the cover 62, depending uponthe particular design. v

From the foregoing it can be seen that a trap and filter mechanism hasIbeen provided for trapping a large portion of dirt and lint in thewashing liquid -Which is carried by the oscillatable agitator utilizedfor the washing ope-ration, and it is disposed beneath the base of theagitator soas, notftoccupy 'any of `the: space required forfwashringn'norarespe'cial recesses and the: like required inthe tub.r Also,that the-oscillatingtaction ofrthe` agitator'for washing lthe clothingnot only lters the liquid but causes zthe 'washing `liquid` tof-depositdirt -in the filter `:trap,'v andthat"` the lfilter may -be readilyremoved for'cleaning and inspection atz anytime by merely removingtheragitator from the splined agitator shaft.

While I have herein described andrupon- :the drawings. shown-illustrative embodiments of the inventionfit is. tobe understood thatthe invention lis not limited theretobut.y may comprehend otherconstruct-ions, arrangements ofparts, Idetailsand features withoutdeparting from :the spirit of the invention.

It is claimed l. A washing machine comprising a-tub havinga-bot`tom-.portion and-side portions for retaining fabrics -f and washingfluidetherein, an'agitator supported rkinispaced` relation to saidbottom portionfor relative movement thereto, said agitator'comprising-acentral portionand a-basemember attached to 1said central portion, acavity formed'lonl the underside` of said base member adjacentsaidfzbottom portion, ups'tanding agitating lvanes `carried on said-basemember, apertures in said base member between said upstanding vanes forpassage offluid into said cavity,` a-cover plate removably attached` tosaid base member ontheA undersidel thereof, l-means :within said cavityto restrict movement of fluid entering said cavity through saidapertures, an opening in said cover plate for exit of said iiuid fromsaid cavity, and filter means within said cavity for arresting movementofforeign particles carried by iiuid entering said cavity through saidapertures.

2. A washing machine comprising a tub having a bottom portion and sideportions for retaining fabrics and washing iiuid therein, an agitatorsupported in spaced relation to said bottom portion for relativemovement thereto, said agitator having an upstanding central portion anda hollow base portion including a top wall and a bottom wall, aplurality of apertures in said top wall for entry of said fluid intosaid hollow base portion, an opening in said bottom wall for exit ofsaid iuid from said hollow base portion, and filter means within saidhollow base portion for arresting movement of foreign particles carriedby iiuid entering said apertures.

3. A washing machine comprising a tub having a bottom portion and sideportions for retaining fabrics and washing fluid therein, an agitatorsupported in spaced relation to said bottom portion for relativemovement thereto, said agitator comprising a center post, a hollow basemember attached to said center po-st and a plurality of upstandingagitating vanes carried by said base member, a plurality of holes insaid base member between said upstanding vanes for passage of fluid intosaid hollow base member, an opening in the bottom of said hollow basememberfor exit of Huid from said base member, and a sediment filtercarried by said base member between said holes and said opening toarrest movement of foreign particles carried by iiuid passing throughsaid holes upon movement of said agitator,

4. A washing machine comprising a tub having a bottom portion and sideportions for retaining fabrics and washing iiuid therein, an agitatorsupported in spaced relation to said bottom portion for relativemovement thereto, said agitator comprising a center post, a hollowflaring base member attached to said center post, a plurality ofagitating vanes carried by and upstanding on said base member foragitating said fluid and said fabrics to loosen foreign particlescarried by said fabrics, a plurality of holes in said base memberbetween said upstanding vanes for passage of said iiuid and saidparticles therethrough, a plurality of vanes attached to said basemember and depending from said base member towards said bottom portion,a cover member abutting said depending vanes to form cavity portions insaid agitator with said depending vanes and said base member, dischargeopenings in said cover member for exit of uid from said cavity portions,and lter means within said cavity portions for arresting movement ofsaid particles suspended in fluid passing through said cavity portions.

5. A washing machine comprising a tub having a bottom portion and sideportions for retaining uid and fabrics therein, an agitator Supported inspaced relation to said bottom portion for relative movement thereto,said agitator comprising a center portion and an outwardly extendingflanged portion attached to said center portion, a plurality ofgroupings of apertures in said iianged p01'- tion adjacent said centerportion for passage of uid therethrough, an upstanding agitating vanecarried by said anged portion between each of said groupings, aplurality of vanes attached to said anged portion and dependingtherefrom towards said bottom portion, a cover member abutting saiddepending vanes to form channels with said flanged member and saiddepending vanes for passage of uid therethrough, discharge openings insaid cover member for exit of tluid from said channels, and a tlterabutting said depending vanes for arresting movement of foreignparticles carried by iiuid passing through said apertures and into saidchannels upon movement of said agitator.

6. A washing machine comprising a tub having a bottom portion and sideportions for retaining fabrics and Washing fluid therein, an agitatorsupported in spaced relation to said bottom portion for relativemovement thereto, .said agitator comprising a center post, a base memberattached to said center post, a plurality of up standing agitating vanescarried by said base member for agitating said uid and said fabrics toloosen particles from said fabrics upon movement of said agitator, aseries of holes in said base member between said upstanding vanes forpassage of lluid therethrough, a plurality of vanes attached to saidbase member and depending from said base member towards said bottomportion, a cover plate fitted to said depending vanes to form channelswith said depending vanes and said base member, discharge openings insaid cover member for exit of fluid from said base member, and filtermeans abutting said depending vanes to arrest the movement of particlescarried by said Huid through said holes upon movement of said agitator.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re.18,280 Kirby Dec. 8, 1931 2,261,932 Bukolt Nov. 11, 1941 2,273,749Bukolt Feb. 17, 1942 2,299,554 McMahon Oct. 20, 1942 2,642,733 McCormickJune 23, 1953

